Art no longer refers to just paintings or pictures hung on a wall but encompass a vast array of items from jewelry to sculpture to wearable art. This is why when you enter a local gallery these days, you can expect to see baskets filled with colorful scarves along with fiber art hung next to paintings and photographs.
It has made art more accessible and, in return, gallery owners have seen people from all walks of life come through their doors looking, exploring, and buying.

“One of the things we have seen is the effort to buy local,” said Marianne Boerigter, NCAA-Artsplace executive director. “We have seen this increase our sales, especially around the holidays, and the comment we have gotten back from people is that they are really trying to buy local, from local artists.”

Buying local not only helps stimulate the economy, but allows the purchaser to find one-of-kind pieces that resonate with them, creating an emotional connection that fits his or her personal style and décor.

“I think what is interesting is that the people who are coming in are looking for things that are unique and individualized,” said Cyndi Casemier, owner of Grand Haven’s C2C Gallery. “They are looking at the items, asking questions, and trying to spend their money wisely and carefully.”

The desire to purchase that intriguing original piece has forced artists to push their creativity to not only come up with something new, but to showcase their skill and depth as an artist. “You find artists educating themselves and stretching themselves,” Casemier said.
It is sometimes hard to quiet yourself in a world where social media reigns, and some artists have used that as inspiration in their work. Others have found the popular movement to reuse and recycle materials as a boundless source of ideas. Walking through last year’s ArtPrize, in about every exhibition spot, there were pieces featuring recycled items from water bottles turned into flowers while other works provided commentary on the waste humans create.

At C2C, there is an artist who crushes drink trays from McDonald’s and uses them in her paper clay art creations. At Saugatuck’s Armstrong-De Graaf International Fine Art, Holland artist Dewey Blocksma uses wooden shoes and tennis racks to create doll- like pieces.

The result of all of this is proof that art is limitless. Today we not only revel in the plethora of offerings but the individuality that is available allowing each of us to bring home something that speaks to who we are, our hopes and dreams, and our view of the world, along with leading to new and exciting directions and discoveries.